Waist-supporting garment

ABSTRACT

An adjustable-width posture belt consisting of two resilient, thin, flat ribbon-like belt members intended to encircle the waist of the wearer, the members having corresponding juxtaposed ends which are secured together in partially overlapping relation, and being positioned to be coextensive with each other. The secured ends of the belt members are provided with cooperable, separable fastener means such as rows of hooks and eyes whereby they can be joined so as to hold the members around the waist of the wearer in the manner of a corset or girdle. At least portions of the belt members are arranged in overlapping relation, and cooperable Velcro fastener elements are disposed substantially at their midpoints for securing the same together in any of a number of different overlapping positions, thereby to provide for different widths of the garment. With the hook and eye fasteners at the rear of the user, opposite or front portions of the belt members can be adjustably related by making them overlap either more or less, thereby to provide a reinforced support of the abdomen at the desired places while at the same time ensuring comfort for the wearer. Or, the hook and eye fasteners can be located at the wearer&#39;&#39;s abdomen, and the opposite belt portions adjusted at the rear to give firm support where needed.

United States Patent 1191 Bernstein 1 May 28, 1974 WAIST-SUPPORTINGGARMENT [76] Inventor: Bertram L. Bernstein, 85 Tahmore Ct., Fairfield,Conn. 06430 [22] Filed: Oct. 29, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 410,904

[52] US. Cl. 128/578, 128/78 [51] Int. Cl. A41c 1/00, A61f 5/02 {58]Field of Search 129/78, 518-579 [56] References Cited UNITED STATESPATENTS 1,276,410 8/1918 Pratt 1 128/579 R 1,572,826 2/1926 Virgin128/579 R 3,441,027 4/1969 Lehman 128/578 3,570,480 3/1971 Stubbs 128/78FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 557,910 8/1932 Germany 128/579 R PrimaryExaminer-Geo. V. Larkin Attorney, Agent, or Firm-H. Gibner Lehmann; K.Gibner Lehmann [57] ABSTRACT An adjustable-width posture belt consistingof two resilient, thin, flat ribbon-like belt members intended toencircle the waist of the wearer, the members having correspondingjuxtaposed ends which are secured together in partially overlappingrelation, and being positioned to be coextensive with each other. Thesecured ends of the belt members are provided with cooperable, separablefastener means such as rows of hooks and eyes whereby they can be joinedso as to hold the members around the waist of the wearer in the mannerof a corset or girdle. At least portions of the belt members arearranged in overlapping relation, and cooperable Velcro fastenerelements are disposed substantially at their midpoints for securing thesame together in any of a number of different overlapping positions,thereby to provide for different widths of the garment. With the hookand eye fasteners at the rear of the user, opposite or front portions ofthe belt members can be adjustably related by making them overlap eithermore or less, thereby to provide a reinforced support of the abdomen atthe desired places while at the same time ensuring comfort for thewearer. Or, the hook and eye fasteners can be located at the wearersabdomen, and the opposite belt portions adjusted at the rear to givefirm support where needed.

13 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures PATENTEDIH 28 1914 3812' 8 6 2 SHEET 1 OF2 PATENTEDIAY281974 313121862 SHEET 2 BF 2 I WAIST-SUPPORTING GARMENTBACKGROUND This invention relates to waist-supporting or posturegarments such as girdles, corsets and the like, and more particularly togarments of this type which are intended to improve the figure, and alsoto provide either increased back or abdominal support for the wearer. Inthe past, many types of girdles, abdominal belts, etc. have beenproposed and produced to serve various purposes. Some were simpletwo-way stretch garments such as continuous or endless girdles intendedto improve the posture, provide supporting means for stockings, etc.Others had elaborate panel and strap arrangements, supposedly to pull inbulging hips, support sagging muscles and so forth. As a general rule,these garments served reasonably well for the purpose intended but inmost cases they involved costly two-way stretch materials and multipleoperations comprising complicated stitching, sewing-in of diagonal seamsor reinforcing panels, etc. whereby the garment became costly toproduce.

Further, many prior garmentsalthough serving the intended purpose ofsupport, shaping of the wearers hips, etc., were uncomfortable to wearand applied pressures at unnecessary places, to the end that the userswould experience great relief upon removing the garment after a periodof wear. While in some cases the garment featured adjustability as totension, shape, support, etc. the means for effecting the same wereinconvenient and in many instances not wholly effective or durable.

SUMMARY The above drawbacks and disadvantages of prior waist-supportinggarments, girdles and the like are obviated by the present invention,which has for an object the provision of a novel and improved elastic orresilient garment of extremely simple construction, which can be easilyand quickly adjusted, especially as to its width, thereby to provide themaximum support of the desired regions of the wearers body, while at thesame time being capable of economical production so that themanufacturing cost can be held to a low figure. Another object of theinvention is to provide an improved waist-supporting garment as abovecharacterized, which is constituted of one-way stretch elastic webbingof a commercially available type, joined in a unique manner and sorelated as to produce a wrinkleresistant, effective and at the same timecomfortableto-wear article. An important feature of the inventionresides in the provision of an improved elastic supporting garment asabove set forth, which can be easily and quickly applied by the user,and as easily and quickly removed after use.

In accomplishing the foregoing I provide essentially a pair of resilientand elastic, thin, flat, ribbon-like belts each of which is adapted toencircle the waist of the wearer, said belts having an appreciable widthand being preferably constituted each of two coextensive strips of wideelastic webbing sewed together along a pair of longitudinal edges. Theends of the two belts are joined together in partially overlappingrelation so as to dispose the belts alongside each other orcoextensively. Cooperable hooks and eyes are provided on the endjoiningmeans, for securing the joined ends of the belts to each other when thebelts are in place encircling the wearers waist. The mid-portions of thebelts opposite the hook and eye fasteners can be made either topartially overlap or else fully overlap, as well as to have intermediateoverlapping positions, and Velcro fastener elements are secured to saidmid-portions to fix them to each other with the desired amount ofoverlap. By such arrangement, the effective width of the centralportions of the garment can be varied between wide limits, and theamount of elastic support provided by such portions can be varied. Withone setting a maximum support can occur midway between the upper andlower edges thereof, for example. The advantageous result of sucharrangement can be increased support for the back, or for the abdomen ofthe wearer at desired locations, with lesser forces being exerted at theupper and lower edges of the garment. Thus, as a consequence, there isless tendency for the garment to cut into the wearers flesh, andimproved comfort while still providing the necessary supportingfunction.

Other features and advantages of the invention will hereinafter appearin the following detailed description wherein:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the garment stretched out flat, illustratingthe outer side thereof.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the reverse or inner side of the garment, laidout flat.

FIG. 3 is a vertical section taken on the line 3-3 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a vertical section taken on the line 4--4 of FIG. I. I

FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of the garment as it is being worn bya user with the fasteners at the rear, the center portions of thegarment being almost com pletely overlapping.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary perspective view like FIG. 5, showing central(front) portions of the garment only one-half overlapped.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary front perspective view like FIG. 6 but showingcentral portions of the garment fully overlapped.

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of the garment being worn by a user,with the central (front) portion onehalf overlapped.

FIG. is a front perspective view of another embodi-' ment.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of still another embodiment.

Referring first to FIGS. 1-4, the improved garment shown thereincomprises a pair of resilient and elastic, thin, flat, ribbon-like beltsl0, 12 disposed in overlapping relation with each other, said beltsbeing discontinuous and each having a pair of ends 14, 16 and 18, 20respectively which are partially overlapped and juxtaposed.

Preferably the belt 10, which may be considered as the inner belt, isformed of two relatively wide elastic webs 22, 24 which are stitchedtogether along a pair of longitudinal edges, such stitching beingindicated at 26 in FIG. 3.

The outer belt 12 is likewise preferably constituted of two relativelywide elastic webs 28, 30 which are stitched together along one pair oflongitudinal edges, the stitches being indicated at 32 in FIG. 3.

The juxtaposed ends l4, 18 of the belts are preferably one-halfoverlapped and are secured together by a strong binding strip 34 whichis provided with a plurality of metal hooks 36.

Preferably, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the binding strip 34 extendsalonga slight diagonal with respect to the lengths of the belts 10, 12whereby when the garment is assembled, one edge thereof can have alarger girth than the other. Usually the edge of larger girth isconsidered to be the bottom of the garment, while the other edge ofsmaller girth is the top, as viewed in FIG. 5.

The juxtaposed ends 16, 20 are also one-half overlapped, and are securedtogether in such overlapping relation by a relatively wide and sturdybinding strip 38 having a plurality of rows of eyes 40 which arecooperable with the hooks 36 to secure the two ends of the garmenttogether in three different adjusted positions whereby there is hadthree different sizes.

As viewed in FIGS. 1 and 2, when the garment is laid out flat, the innerbelt 10 and the outer belt 12 will each be one-half overlapped.

Further, in accordance with the present invention, the centers (frontportions as seen in FIG. 5) of the belts l0, 12 are provided withseparable gripper means disposed substantially at the midpoints thereof,for securing said portions together in any of a number of differentoverlapping positions. Such securing means may advantageously beconstituted of multiple-hook type fastener fabric of the type knowncommercially as Velcro fasteners. Referring to FIG. 3, the inner belthas a Velcro fastener strip 44 attached to the outer side of the web 24and the outer belt 12 has a cooperable but longer Velcro fastener strip46 attached to its inner side, such strip underlying both the web 28 andthe web 30.

It will now be understood that the belts l0, 12 can be adjustablysecured to each other at their central portions, in a large number ofdifferent overlapping positions. In FIG. 5 the front portions of thebelt are illustrated as being almost but not quite completely overlappedat their centers. In FIG. 7 the belts are shown as being completelyoverlapped, whereas in FIG. 6 the belts l0, 12 are illustrated as beingone-half overlapped. With the adjustment of F IG. 6, the garment willhave a single web thickness along its upper and lower edges and willhave a double thickness of webs along the intermediate portions wherebythe maximum amount of support will occur along said intermediateportions. With the single thickness of web at the upper and lower edgesthere is less tendency for chafing pressure points to exist, and lesstendency for the garment to cut into the flesh of the wearer while atthe same time adequate support is had over the entire surface. Insituations where the wearer is not especially fleshy, a greatermidsection support can be had by a complete overlap of the centralportions, as illustrated in FIG. 7, since there is not the likelihood ofany flesh overhanging the garment and becoming sore. Various degrees ofoverlap may thus be obtained, to suit the requirements of the wearer, asfor example the three-quarter overlap illustrated, in FIG. 5. Theone-half overlap position is also shown in FIG. 8, which corresponds tothe showing of FIG. 6.

While the garment is illustrated herein as having the hook and eyefasteners at the back of the wearer, they can as well be disposed at thefront so as to secure an adjustable support for the wearers back.

Another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 9, whichshows a garment 50 that may be'in the form of a two-way stretch girdle.Secured over a larger portion of the garment 50, such as either over thefront or the back panel thereof, are thin, flat, ribbon-like belts 52and 54 each constituted preferably of two elastic webs and being similarin nature to the belts 10, 12 and webs 22, 24 and 28, 30 thereof alreadydescribed above. The belt 52 is shown as partially overlapping the belt54, and is provided with a Velcro fastener strip 56 similar to the strip44 described above. Also, the inner or under belt 54 has a Velcrofastener strip 58 similar to the strip 46. The belts 52 and 54 arediscontinuous and coextensive, with their corresponding ends juxtaposedand secured together. It will be seen that the belts at least partiallyencircle the waist of a wearer. The juxtaposed pairs of ends of thebelts 52, 54 are joined to each other by being secured by stitching 60to the girdle 50, such stitching constituting (with portions of thegirdle) a fastening or joining means. This joining means also comprisesthe remaining portion of the girdle which is not overlapped by the belts52, 54. In other words, the portion of the girdle designated 62 servesto secure to each other the corresponding pairs of ends of the belts 52,54, just as the hook and eye fasteners of FIGS. 1-8 and binding strips34, 38 secure to each other the ends of the belts l0, 12.

By virture of the Velcro fastener strips 56, 58 the belts 52, 54 can bearranged in different relative positions wherein they overlap each otherto either a greater or else a lesser extent". When the garment is beingworn, the belts 52, 54 can be located at either the front or back.

Yet another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 10,showing a garment 50a in the form of a two-way stretch girdle havingsecured to its inside, partially overlapping stretchable belts 52a, 54a.The ends of the belts 52a, 54a are stitched to the garment 60a wherebythe portion 62a thereof serves as a means for securing or fastening toeach other the remote ends of the belts. Velcro fastener elements 65aand 58a enable the belts 52a, 54a to be made to overlap each other toeither a greater extent or else a lesser extent.

It will now be seen from the foregoing that l have provided a novel andimproved posture belt or waistsupport garment which is adjustable as toits width, and is especially simple in its construction, involvingmerely the use of commercially available elastic webbing, together withbinding strips and hooks and eyes, said garment having uniqueadjustability features to provide an advantageous support of either theback or the abdominal regions of the wearer, or both. The garment isseen to be adjustable as to its width at the central portions so as togive the desired support and also to minimize abrasion or chafingdiscomfort of the wearer. By virtue of the construction involvingcommercially available one-way stretch elastic strip or webbing, thegarment resists wrinkling when being worn, and the manufacturing cost ofthe garment can be held to a low figure, making for an attractive retailprice. The garment is not only adjustable as to the width at the centralsupport portions but also as to its girth at the ends, to vary its size,this by virtue of the multiple hook and eye securing means provided.Further, the garment may be very quickly self-applied by the wearer, andas easily removed after use.

Variations and modifications are possible without departing from thespirit of the invention.

1 claim:

1. An adjustable-width, waist-supporting posture garment comprising, incombination:

a. a pair of resilient and elastic, thin, flat, ribbon-like belts eachadapted to encircle the waist of a wearer,

b. said belts being discontinuous and each having a pair of ends,

c. said belts being disposed in coextensive relation to each other andhaving means joining the corresponding, juxtaposed ends together,

d. at least portions of said belts being adapted for arrangement inoverlapping relation,

e. cooperable separable fastener means on said joining means, forsecuring the joined pairs of ends of the belts to each other with thebelts in place encircling the wearers waist, and

f. separable gripper means disposed substantially at the mid-points ofthe belts, for securing the same together in any of a number ofdifferent overlapping positions.

2. A garment as in claim 1, wherein:

a. each belt is constituted of two elastic webs stitched together alonglongitudinal edges thereof.

3. A garment as in claim 1, wherein:

a. the ends of the belts partially overlap each other.

4. A garment as in claim 1, wherein: a. the means joining thecorresponding ends of the belts comprise transverse binding stripsstitched to 6. A garment as in claim 5, wherein:

a. one gripper pad, secured to one belt, is twice the length of theother gripper pad secured to the other belt.

7. A garment as in claim 1, wherein:

a. the gripper means on the belts comprise a Velcrotype fastener.

8. A garment as in claim 1, wherein:

a. the ends of the belts overlap each other by a half width.

9. An adjustable-width, waist-supporting posture garment comprising, incombination:

a. a pair of resilient and elastic, thin, flat, ribbon-like belts eachadapted to at least partially encircle the waist of a wearer,

b. said belts being discontinuous and each having a pair of ends,

c. said belts being disposed in coextensive relation to each other withtheir corresponding ends juxtaposed and together,

d. at least portions of said belts being adapted for arrangement inoverlapping relation,

e. means joining said juxtaposed pairs of ends of the belts to eachother with the belts in place at least partially encircling the wearerswaist, and

f. separable gripper means disposed substantially at the mid-points ofthe belts, for securing the same together in any of a number ofdifferent positions wherein they overlap either more or less.

10. A garment as in claim 9, wherein:

a. said joining means comprises a portion of a girdle.

portion.

1. An adjustable-width, waist-supporting posture garment comprising, incombination: a. a pair of resilient and elastic, thin, flat, ribbon-likebelts each adapted to encircle the waist of a wearer, b. said beltsbeing discontinuous and each having a pair of ends, c. said belts beingdisposed in coextensive relation to each other and having means joiningthe corresponding, juxtaposed ends together, d. at least portions ofsaid belts being adapted for arrangement in overlapping relation, e.cooperable separable fastener means on said joining means, for securingthe joined pairs of ends of the belts to each other with the belts inplace encircling the wearer''s waist, and f. separable gripper meansdisposed substantially at the midpoints of the belts, for securing thesame together in any of a number of different overlapping positions. 2.A garment as in claim 1, wherein: a. each belt is constituted of twoelastic webs stitched together along longitudinal edges thereof.
 3. Agarment as in claim 1, wherein: a. the ends of the belts partiallyoverlap each other.
 4. A garment as in claim 1, wherein: a. the meansjoining the corresponding ends of the belts comprise transverse bindingstrips stitched to said belts, b. said fastener means comprising spacedrows of eyes on one binding strip and a row of hooks on the otherbinding strip, cooperable with said eyes.
 5. A garment as in claim 1,wherein: a. the gripper means on the belts comprise pads secured to thebelts, a multiplicity of hooks disposed over the area of one pad, and amultiplicity of elements on the other pad, cooperable with said hooks.6. A garment as in claim 5, wherein: a. one gripper pad, secured to onebelt, is twice the length of the other gripper pad secured to the otherbelt.
 7. A garment as in claim 1, wherein: a. the gripper means on thebelts comprise a Velcro-type fastener.
 8. A garment as in claim 1,wherein: a. the ends of the belts overlap each other by a half width. 9.An adjustable-width, waist-supporting posture garment comprising, incombination: a. a pair of resilient and elastic, thin, flat, ribbon-likebelts each adapted to at least partially encircle the waist of a wearer,b. said belts being discontinuous and each having a pair of ends, c.said belts being disposed in coextensive relation to each other withtheir corresponding ends juxtaposed and together, d. at least portionsof said belts being adapted for arrangement in overlapping relation, e.means joining said juxtaposed pairs of ends of the belts to each otherwith the belts in place at least partially encircling the wearer''swaist, and f. separable gripper means disposed substantially at themid-points of the belts, for securing the same together in any of anumber of different positions wherein they overlap either more or less.10. A garment as in claim 9, wherein: a. said joining means comprises aportion of a girdle.
 11. A garment as in claim 10, wherein: a. anotherportion of said girdle is coextensive with and broadside to said belts.12. A garment as in claim 11, wherein: a. said belts are located insideof said other girdle portion.
 13. A garment as in claim 11, wherein: a.said belts are located outside of said other girdle portion.